Brock Township is one of the most open GTA markets for short-term rentals. No license, no night cap, no principal residence rule. If you own a Lake Simcoe waterfront property in Beaverton, a village home in Sunderland or Cannington, or rural land elsewhere in Brock, you can legally operate an Airbnb today.
The Township has been considering STR regulation since 2021 but has not passed a bylaw. Information drawn from the Township of Brock's official website.
Quick Summary
The Current Rules
The Township of Brock has no dedicated short-term rental bylaw. There is no STR license, no registration process, no inspection regime, and no fee. The Township Council discussed regulating STRs as early as June 2021 but decided not to pass a bylaw at that time.
This puts Brock among the most permissive GTA municipalities, alongside Uxbridge, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Richmond Hill, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville (which has since regulated). Brock is the northernmost Durham Region municipality and its Lake Simcoe position creates unique tourism demand that distinguishes it from the more urban Durham cities.
Three Villages, One Township
Brock Township is made up of three main villages plus surrounding rural and waterfront areas:
Lake Simcoe Waterfront Angle
Brock's Beaverton waterfront is the most distinctive STR market in Durham Region. Unlike Pickering and Ajax (which are Lake Ontario suburban), Beaverton is a classic cottage-town waterfront on Lake Simcoe's southeastern shore. Seasonal demand drivers include:
- Summer boating, swimming, and fishing on Lake Simcoe
- Fall fishing (Lake Simcoe perch and bass are nationally known)
- Ice fishing season (January through March) drives winter demand that most STR markets don't see
- Proximity to Mount St. Louis Moonstone ski area for winter travellers
Waterfront properties in Beaverton can command premium summer nightly rates while also booking winter ice fishing stays, a year-round occupancy pattern that's hard to replicate elsewhere in the GTA.
What Rules DO Apply
- Noise By-law. Standard municipal noise restrictions (typically 11pm to 7am quiet hours).
- Property Standards By-law. Habitable conditions, maintained exteriors, working utilities.
- Zoning By-law. Residential use permitted broadly; agricultural and environmental protection zones may restrict certain uses.
- Ontario Fire Code. Smoke alarms in every sleeping area, CO alarms, fire extinguishers on each level.
- Septic regulations. For rural and waterfront properties on septic systems, occupancy should not exceed the septic system's design capacity. Overloading can trigger Durham Region Health enforcement.
- HST. Federal 13% HST required if annual STR revenue exceeds $30,000.
How to Host Legally in Brock Today
- Check zoning for rural or waterfront properties. Request a Zoning Certificate for definitive confirmation.
- Verify septic capacity for properties on septic systems. Match occupancy to system capacity.
- Get STR-specific insurance with $2M minimum liability.
- Install all safety equipment (smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguishers).
- Post house rules addressing quiet hours, parking, waste, occupancy.
- Check any cottage association covenants or waterfront restrictions that may override Township rules.
- Register for HST if over $30,000 annual revenue.
- Save transaction records for future licensing compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to Airbnb in Brock Township, Ontario?
No. As of April 2026, the Township of Brock has no short-term rental licensing bylaw. You can list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com in Beaverton, Sunderland, or Cannington without municipal approval. General property standards, noise, parking, and fire code bylaws still apply.
What is the status of STR regulation in Brock?
Brock Township has been looking into developing an STR licensing bylaw since 2021 but has not passed one. Given regional pressures (Oshawa and Whitby have regulated, Scugog has zoning restrictions), expect action within 1 to 2 years. Operators who start now position themselves for potential grandfathering when rules arrive.
Can I Airbnb an investment property in Brock Township?
Yes. Without an STR-specific bylaw, there is no principal residence requirement. Investment properties, waterfront cottages on Lake Simcoe, and rural farmhouses can all legally operate as STRs in Brock today. General zoning and property standards apply.
What communities make up Brock Township?
Brock Township spans three main villages: Beaverton (on Lake Simcoe), Sunderland (rural), and Cannington (equestrian country). The Township also includes surrounding rural areas, farmland, and waterfront properties on Lake Simcoe's southeastern shore.
Is there a night limit for Brock STRs?
No. There is no municipal night cap on how many days you can host. HST (13%) still applies federally if your annual STR revenue exceeds $30,000.
Does Brock charge a Municipal Accommodation Tax?
No. As of April 2026, the Township of Brock does not charge MAT. Airbnb and VRBO typically handle MAT collection automatically in municipalities that have adopted it. Brock remains outside this system.
What rules apply to Brock STRs today?
General municipal bylaws apply: property standards, noise (particularly between 11pm and 7am), parking, waste collection, and Ontario Fire Code compliance. Ontario Building Code applies to renovations. Zoning By-law governs what uses are permitted on your property. Cottage associations and waterfront property covenants can restrict STRs regardless of Township status.
Are Lake Simcoe waterfront STRs in Beaverton permitted?
Yes, under current rules. Waterfront Lake Simcoe properties in Beaverton are popular for summer STR demand driven by fishing, boating, and lake recreation. Check your specific zoning designation and any waterfront property covenants or septic-related restrictions before listing.
Are there any existing STR restrictions in Brock specific zones?
Agricultural and environmentally protected zones may restrict non-farm uses. If your property is outside a village core, contact Township Planning to confirm whether STR use is permitted on your zoning. Request a Zoning Certificate for definitive confirmation.
Should I start an Airbnb in Brock before regulations pass?
Yes. Starting now establishes operating history and reviews, positioning you for potential grandfathering when the Township implements licensing. Operators who start after a bylaw is proposed typically face stricter rules with no transition window.
Thinking of a Brock Township Airbnb?
Brock is one of the last open Durham markets, with a unique Lake Simcoe waterfront angle. Nurture helps you launch quickly, optimize pricing for year-round demand (summer boating to winter ice fishing), and build operating history before the Township introduces licensing.
Get a Free Property AssessmentThis summary is for informational purposes only. Brock Township's regulatory status can change on short notice. Always verify current rules at townshipofbrock.ca or by contacting the Township directly. HST (13%) and federal tax rules also apply.